The File on Angelyn Stark

Why Rent from Knetbooks?

Because Knetbooks knows college students. Our rental program is designed to save you time and money. Whether you need a textbook for a semester, quarter or even a summer session, we have an option for you. Simply select a rental period, enter your information and your book will be on its way!

Angelyn Stark has a secret. One day, her neighbor and friend, Nathan, saw something happen. Something between Angelyn and her stepfather. Then he told his grandmother, who was always looking out for Angelyn, and it turned into a mess. But Nathan didn't know what he was talking about then, and he doesn't know now. Three years later, Angelyn is in high school and she thinks she's getting along fine--but there's a young teacher who wants to help her. He says she has potential she isn't living up to. Nobody has ever cared this way about Angelyn, not since Nathan's grandmother, anyway. But what does Mr. Rossi really want from her? And once Angelyn starts falling for him, does she really care? From the Hardcover edition.

CHAPTER ONE

Angelyn, Fifteen

New girl walks through the three of us smoking in the bathroom. Jacey and me on the sinks, our long legs dangling. Charity, opposite, leaning against a partition.

“She must think she’s hot,” Charity says as the girl disappears into a stall.

I try and think if I’ve seen her before. One thing’s for sure.

New girl doesn’t know about us.

You don’t use this bathroom without asking first. Not during morning break.

We snicker when we hear the girl peeing. As if we’ve never done that. Charity moves to the stall and thumps a fist against the door. Once. Twice. The flow stops. And starts. Jacey and I exchange a grin.

I push off from the sink. Jacey does too. I flick my cigarette to the drain. Jacey drops hers on the floor. I’m warm watching the girl squirm, warm in my stomach like I’ve just had cocoa. Curious too. Excited. I’m not bored.

We take Charity’s back, a triangle of tough.

“This is our space,” Charity says.

“I didn’t know.” The girl’s voice comes out dry.

We have her blocked. The only way out that doesn’t go through us is the window high on the wall behind her. It’s a long way down.

“Did you have a good pee?” Charity asks.

“The way you were banging--” The girl takes a breath. “I thought you wanted to come in and see for yourself.”

That makes me laugh. The girl lifts her chin. In profile, in the speckled mirror, she looks proud. Pretty girl in crap clothes. No makeup.

“During break we come in here to smoke,” I say. “The first-floor girls’ room is where you want to be.”